Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone in letrozole rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Comparing the Effect of Heat Therapy and Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Phenotype Induced by Junk Food Consumption

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder, and multiple factors contribute to its pathophysiology. The current study assessed a PCOS-like animal model induced by consuming a high-fat sugar (HFHS) diet and compared the treatment outcome of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants versus heat therapy. Sixty rats were divided into the following study groups: three control groups (negative and positive for the treatments used), HFHS, hot tub therapy (HTT) treatment, and MitoQ10 treatment (500 µmol/L MitoQ10 in clean drinking water daily, from week fourteen till week twenty-two of the study). At week fourteen, PCOS was confirmed by vaginal smear examination; measurements of blood testosterone (T), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), glucose, and insulin; and determination of the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). At week 22, blood samples were collected for measurement of the serum LH, FSH, AMH, T, insulin, glucose, lipid profile, kisspeptin, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 19 (ADAMTS19), S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), fibulin 1 (FBLN1), immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs), kappa and lambda. Ovaries were examined for morphological changes; for the levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase, SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO); and the expression of FK506 binding protein 52 (FKBP52) and the androgen receptor (AR). The consumption of HFHS diet-induced PCOS-like features, which have been ameliorated by both HTT and mitoQ10 as potential therapies, with MitoQ10 showing a superior effect over HTT.

Melatonin as a promising therapeutic intervention for restoring ovarian function in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age and is characterized by multiple ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, and excessive androgen hormone production. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in alleviating PCOS-induced alterations in female Wistar rats. PCOS was induced in female albino rats by administering letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 21 days. A total of 24 rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups: group I (normal control), group II (melatonin treatment), group III (letrozole treatment), and group IV (melatonin therapy for PCOS rats). Physical parameters (body and uterus weight), hormone profile (LH and FSH), and steroidogenic enzyme activities and an oral glucose test were assessed using standard methods. Histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results demonstrated that exogenous melatonin administration significantly improved PCOS symptoms in rats, including reduced body weight gain, changes in organ weight/body weight index, blood glucose level, percentage diestrus phase, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and LH/FSH ratio, as well as 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD enzyme activity. Histopathological findings revealed well-developed follicles, decreased cystic follicles, and increased antral follicles, Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum in PCOS rats treated with melatonin. These positive outcomes suggest that exogenous melatonin may hold promise as a valuable remedy for PCOS conditions in female rats. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications of melatonin in the context of PCOS.

Comparing MitoQ10 and heat therapy: Evaluating mechanisms and therapeutic potential for polycystic ovary syndrome induced by circadian rhythm disruption

Environmental factors, such as sleep restriction, contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by causing hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and oligo- or anovulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of circadian rhythm disruption on reproductive and metabolic functions and investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of MitoQ10 and hot tub therapy (HTT). Sixty female rats were divided into six groups: control, MitoQ10, HTT, and three groups with PCOS induced by continuous light exposure(L/L). The reproductive, endocrine, and structural manifestations ofL/L-induced PCOS were confirmed by serum biochemical measurements, ultrasound evaluation of ovarian size, and vaginal smear examination at week 14. Subsequently, the rats were divided into the L/L (untreated), L/L+MitoQ10-treated, andL/L+HTT-treated groups. At the end of week 22, all rats were sacrificed. Treatmentwith MitoQ10 or HTT partially reversed the reproductive, endocrine, and structural features of PCOS, leading to a decreased amplitude of isolated uterine contractions, ovarian cystic changes and size, and endometrial thickness. Furthermore, both interventions improved the elevated serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), kisspeptin, Fibulin-1, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 19 (ADAMTS-19), lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), oxidative stress markers, androgen receptors (AR) and their transcription target genes, FKBP52 immunostaining in ovarian tissues, and uterine estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and PRimmunostaining. In conclusion, MitoQ10 supplementation and HTT demonstrated the potential for ameliorating metabolic, reproductive, and structural perturbations associated with PCOS induced by circadian rhythm disruption. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for these interventions in managing PCOS in women.

Histomorphometric and biochemical activities of bioactive component of Cyperus esculentus tubers extract on letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome and cholesterol homeostasis in female Sprague-Dawley rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine and metabolic disorder, causes irregular menstrual cycles, dyslipidemia, excessive body weight, oxidative stress, hyperandrogenism, and infertility. This study focused on the impact of Cyperus esculentus (CES) on letrozole-induced PCOS in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty (20) normal rats and twenty (20) PCOS rats (150–200 g, 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups of ten ( n = 10) rats each. Group A served as normal control group received 2 mL of normal saline, group B treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of CES , group C PCOS control group received 2 mL of normal saline, and group D PCOS rats post-treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of CES daily through gastric gavage for 30 days. Estrus cyclicity, body and ovaries weights, biochemical and histological parameters were measured. Observed irregular estrus cyclicity and multiple cysts in PCOS rats, increase glycemia, ovarian weight, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estradiol, progesterone, catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase levels, compared with control. The intervention of CES ameliorated and restored the estrus cyclicity reproductive hormone, biochemical, and structural alterations. Moreover, CES significantly decreased cystic follicles, LH, and testosterone levels, but increased estradiol concentration. This plant may be beneficial in the management and treatment of PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disorders.

DNA methylation of AMHRII and INSR gene is associated with the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

BACKGROUND:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic endocrinopathy, characterized by menstrual disorders, ovulation disorders, polycystic ovary, hyperandrogen syndrome and insulin resistance. At present, the etiology and exact pathogenesis of PCOS are still unclear. Anti-Müllerian hormone is a local regulator secreted by ovarian granulosa cells, and participates in regulating the occurrence and development of PCOS. Insulin resistance is another important pathophysiological feature of PCOS. Although the expression of anti-müllerian hormone receptor (AMHR) and insulin receptor (INSR) in PCOS have been previously reported, the DNA methylation of the genes have not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVE:

To study AMHR II/INSR and its role in gene methylation in Ovarian and endometrial pathology of PCOS subjects.

METHODS:

We recruited seventy-five women with PCOS as cases and twenty healthy women as controls, using immunohistochemical method, study localization, distribution and expression of MHRII/INSR in ovary and endometrium and then discover the correlation of AMHRII/INSR gene methylation.

RESULTS:

Different clinical features in PCOS group AMHRII gene methylation level and insulin resistance relations have significant differences (r= 0.532, P= 0.000); INSR gene methylation level and insulin resistance relations have significant differences (r= 0.281, P= 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

The analysis of DNA methylation suggested that methylation of AMHRII and INSR genes was associated with basic clinical characteristics and insulin resistance of PCOS. These results provide evidence for AMHRII and INSR genes, and their methylation levels are intimately associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Investigation of Therapeutic Effects of Erdosteine on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Rat Model

OBJECTIVE

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious endocrine disorder. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of erdosteine in letrozole-induced PCOS in rats.

METHODS

Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were grouped as control group (C), PCOS group (PCOS), PCOS-metformin group (PCOS+MET), and PCOS-erdosteine group (PCOS+Erd). PCOS was induced by administering letrozole; such rats presented with sex hormone disorder, abnormal estrous cycles determined by daily vaginal smear, large cystic follicles, and increasing fasting insulin levels. After induction of PCOS, metformin (500 mg/kg/day) and erdosteine (100 mg/kg/day) were given orally to the treatment groups for 30 days. Serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, as well as the total oxidant and antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and androstenedione were evaluated. The ovaries were graded histologically.

RESULTS

Weights of ovarian tissues (p < 0.05) and the number of atretic follicles (p < 0.001) and cystic follicles (p < 0.01) decreased in the PCOS+Erd group; the corpus luteum number was significantly higher in the PCOS+Erd group (p < 0.01) as compared with the PCOS group. Lipid parameters (total-C, LDL-C, and TG), E1 (estrone), E1/E2 ratio, testosterone, and androstenedione significantly decreased, while HDL-C and E2 (estradiol) significantly increased in the PCOS+Erd group as compared with the PCOS group. Moreover glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR were reduced with treatment of erdosteine (p > 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that erdosteine may be used in the treatment of PCOS as an alternative to metformin. It appears that our findings might be supported by clinical and molecular studies.

Regular and Moderate Exercise Counteracts the Decline of Antioxidant Protection but Not Methylglyoxal-Dependent Glycative Burden in the Ovary of Reproductively Aging Mice

Population aging results in urgent needs of interventions aimed at ensuring healthy senescence. Exercise often results in healthy aging, yet many molecular mechanisms underlying such effects still need to be identified. We here investigated whether the age-dependent accumulation of oxidative and methylglyoxal- (MG-) related molecular damage could be delayed by moderate exercise in the mouse ovary, an organ that first exhibits impaired function with advancing age in mammals. CD1 female mice underwent two- or four-month treadmill-based running through the transition from adult to middle age, when ovaries show signs of senescence, and markers of protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MG were measured. The long-term exercise reduced the protein oxidative damage in the ovaries (P < 0.01), and this was linked to the preservation of the glutathione peroxidase protection against ROS (P < 0.001), as well as to the increased glutathione availability (P < 0.001). Conversely, even though the age-related deactivation of the MG-targeting systems was partially prevented by the long-term running programme (P < 0.001), exercised mice were not protected from the age-dependent glycative burden. In summary, lately initiated regular and moderate exercise limited some changes occurring in the ovaries of middle-aged mice, and this might help to develop nonpharmacological cointerventions to reduce the vulnerability of mammalian ovaries towards redox dysfunctions.

Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone in two rat models of polycystic ovary syndrome

AIM

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are two to three times higher in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the mechanism of increased AMH levels in PCOS remains unclear. The purpose of our experiment was to investigate a change in AMH levels in two kinds of commonly used rat models and to determine an ideal model for future research of AMH in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

METHODS

Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were treated using two modeling methods: implantation of a levonorgestrel silastic implant or injection with sodium prasterone sulfate plus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Rats in the control group were implanted with a blank silastic stick. Serum steroid concentrations, ovarian morphology and ovarian expression of AMH and AMH-receptor II (RII) proteins were determined and their correlations were studied.

RESULTS

The results from the levonorgestrel and hCG group were closer to those displayed by human PCOS patients than the sodium prasterone sulfate and hCG group. Ovarian local expression of AMH and AMH-RII was increased in these both models compared with the control group; however, an elevation of serum AMH concentration was not observed (12.53 ± 0.99 ng/ml and 13.22 ± 1.09 ng/ml vs 16.30 ± 0.98 ng/ml).

CONCLUSION

The levonorgestrel and hCG model is more suitable for the study of PCOS in puberty.